It was that time of year again when my husband and I treat ourselves to a weekend in the Hamptons. I have fallen in love! There is so much to do, but sadly, a weekend is hardly enough time to cover everything I always have planned. But the 1 thing I always make time for (besides shopping) is the show house. With lots of friends participating this year, I could not miss it!

The 6,500 sq foot ,seven bedroom home on just over 3 acres can be yours for $5.795.00 million dollars

Elissa Grayer's warm, welcoming entrance hall set the tone for what followed. The grasscloth wallpaper, which we see in many of the rooms, added the perfect amount of texture and color to the space. The Yolanda Sanchez painting is the perfect counterpoint to the furniture which fills the foyer. I saw more of Yolanda's work at the Kathryn Markel Gallery, and it is wonderful.

Patricia Fisher masterfully made the living room chic, timeless, neutral, and functional. When designing a room that connects to many others, a confident designer doesn't need to shout to be seen.

The dining room by Barbara Page was wrapped in wood, wicker, and grasscloth. With its blue and white color scheme and the juxtaposition of shiny and matte, it speaks the quintessential Hamptons' language.

The kitchen is regal in royal blue and white as well. Blue was a predominant theme, as was grasscloth and the nod to easy relaxed elegance. It all began with the Beacon Hill fabric says Marlaina Teich. It's a contrast in diverse textures and styles.

Why shouldn't your four legged family member have the comfort and beauty we have come to expect?

Scot Meachan Wood, better known as Tartan Scott, infuses his signature beloved print in the mudroom in an unexpected way! It's happy, it's strong, it's a masculine segue from the rear of the home. Look for Scott's line of fabrics debuting soon.

Yes that's a kayak hanging from the ceiling

I loved this lounge by Brady Design. A few big pieces make a classic tantalizing, tableau.

I feel like there is a masculine man cave / lounge in almost every show house. This one by Robert Brown Interior Design is beautifully executed, and rich in texture and tone.

I enjoyed Dallas based designer Denise McGaha's take on this Hamptons bedroom. It is unexpected and unique. This is indicative of someone that doesn't follow rules; they make their own! I flipped over Celerie Kimble's wallpaper which set the stage.

There were as many subdued rooms as there were bright ones! Brian Patrick Flynn's powerful pink room with its hothouse colored Duralee fabrics on traditional furniture is unexpected but certainly visually stimulating.

I think that's the theme. We have come to expect certain things from a Hamptons show house, but in this year's crop of designer's hands the twist was more " untraditional"

Another one of my favorite rooms in the house was the Lalique master bath. As big as any bedroom ~ you could do a number of things in here besides bathe, especially when a stunning glass desk takes up center stage by Keith Baltimore of Baltimore Design Group

Karen, Julia and I could have spent a lot more time in there!

The basement was the grand dame of the house. Divided into spaces for lounging, movie watching in the theatre, general game playing, and entertaining ~ there's something for everyone!

My motto this summer has been: Work hard, play harder. I have been having an awfully good time. I have to say though that the traveling, studying for my life coach program, and the ongoing projects I have been working on have kind of kept me behind the 8 ball. The thing that suffered has been the blog. I have not had time to do it all, but it won't always be that way. Hang in there with me!

While in the Hamptons last weekend I learned about Chris Burch's new project. Chris Burch (of Tory Burch's ex and the defunct C. Wonder stores) has a new project, and this one I can get behind!

Cocoon 9 is an upscale, sustainable, modern approach to living in a prefabricated, flexible structure with a high design aesthetic. Whether using it as a pool house, guest house, artist or yoga studio, mountain side home (ME,ME,ME) or oceanside bungalow, it has a plethora of possibilities! Built by custom home builder Edwin Mahoney, it allows for some customization, but is full of well thought out details and plenty of storage.

Mecox Gardens in Southampton assembled one on their grounds for tours. It is impressive.

The cabins are made of steel and can be configured or stacked in several ways. They are environmentally friendly, can withstand 150 mph winds, can be adapted for solar power, have insulated walls and incorporate LED lighting. They are 12 by 40 feet and average $250,000.00. There is a "lite" model as well which is a little smaller and therefore a little less costly. The floors are kept light and a lot of white lacquer is employed along with floor to ceiling windows, all in an effort to reflect light and connect to the outdoors so you get the feel of a more expansive space. Kitchenettes, bathrooms and murphy beds are included, but there are MANY clever ways to upgrade your petite prefab. Carrera marble and bamboo anyone?

I came across Greg Lotus' work in Miami. I was transfixed by the limited edition photographs in NIBA Home in the Design District. His fashion and fantasy fusion subject matter really intrigued me. A little research on my part revealed he is a regular contributor to Italian Vogue, GQ, and
W magazines, as well as major advertising campaigns for American and European companies. He is also a favorite among celebrities. Who knew?

"Drawing inspiration from classical paintings and geometric forms, Greg Lotus' work has been compared to Herb Ritts, Man Ray and Richard Avedon, and his [work] fuses his high fashion background with the rural environment of his youth." - Wall Street International, September 2013

His modest, small town upbringing and model good looks helped shape him into the world class photographer he is today. He liked being behind the camera, not in front of it. Either way we win!

Many of his photos include exotic animals in a most particular way. Lotus explains he likes to bring together or mix the animals into the world of high fashion, "Linking the rarefied atmosphere of the fashion industry to the organic beauty of the natural world."

Sex appeal is the common denominator. He wants you to think "desire" first. Some of his photos are over five feet in size. He wants you to be drawn in, to participate. If the size doesn't do it, the eyes of this woman in the photo Summer Day will.

Many of the photographs in the bathing beauties series were hung on the wall in the store, some came from his website. This particular one of the "beauties" in bathing caps I literally could not take my eyes off of. It kept calling me back for another look. I don't know if it was the color of their swimming caps, the composition, her eyes or what, but it really spoke to me!

Under the heading of It's a small world, I have written about Brizo (here and here) and the wonderful opportunities the company has afforded bloggers and designers to help us get to know their products, their passions, their philanthropy, and the people behind the products. Well, I found out Greg is one of the people behind the products. Coincidentally, he shot several of their beautiful fashion forward advertising campaigns.

Future gallery exhibits and a book are on the horizon for Greg. In the meantime ~
Check out this man's instagram account. His work is GORGEOUS!

Having been in the fashion and design business for many years as a stylist, fashion show coordinator, and presently the principal ofCarrie Leskowitz Interiors,I incorporated transformational life coach to my resume. Design from Within is where inner peace meets outer beauty. I take a holistic or "Life Coach Approach" to interior design. The blog is part inspiration, part aspiration, part education, part motivation! Live your best life more Beaut~i~FULLY inside and out!

"Decoration is about creating a quality of life, and beauty in that life that nourishes the soul, that makes life beautiful. That's what it's all about".~ Albert Hadley